castanha do Para
Bee in a Brazil nut flower (Bertholletia excelsa).
Bee in a Brazil nut flower (Bertholletia excelsa).
The bee has landed on the androecial hood of a flower of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa), attracted there by the yellow color (nectar guide) at the entrance into the flower. Only bees strong enough to force their way into the flower between the open end of the hood and the tightly adpressed petals are efficient pollinators. The bees are seeking nectar as a reward for visiting the flower. Photo not vouchered.
Fruit and seeds of a Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa).
Fruit and seeds of a Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa).
Fruit and seeds of Bertholletia excelsa based on unvouchered collection from the Manu National Park, Peru. Used with permission from T. Paine and P. Alvarez. See http://manuplants.org/ for additional images of fruits and seeds of this and other plants. Note that the thick woody fruit wall (pericarp) has been gnawed through to the seeds by animals, most likely agoutis.